Time will tell if the reformatting/branding and the bad press of letting the staff go with no notice will adversely affect them. It's still the nearest place to the arena and it will get its share of business but it will be interesting to see if there's a drop off from the regulars. I know that many were frustrated last season with the constantly changing menu and beer selection throughout the season so who knows how the limited bar/pub menu will go over. Others had already made the switch last season to the Worthen for pregame, including several families, as you get much more bang for the buck there and the food is very good.

That stuff boggles my mind... they've had a long running operation... maybe not in lowell but on the overall.

Re: UMass Lowell Off-Season 2017: Next verse, same as the first

Originally Posted by riverchief1

Time will tell if the reformatting/branding and the bad press of letting the staff go with no notice will adversely affect them. It's still the nearest place to the arena and it will get its share of business but it will be interesting to see if there's a drop off from the regulars. I know that many were frustrated last season with the constantly changing menu and beer selection throughout the season so who knows how the limited bar/pub menu will go over. Others had already made the switch last season to the Worthen for pregame, including several families, as you get much more bang for the buck there and the food is very good.

? I like a changing menu. It isn't McDonald's. Changing with the season is good.

Re: UMass Lowell Off-Season 2017: Next verse, same as the first

Good restaurants change menus a few times a year. Beerworks changed with every season, on schedule. I know because I asked and they told me when the menu was scheduled to change.

Yes there was a small portion of the menu that always changed seasonally/monthly, maybe 5-6 items. Not what I was talking of, more so the fact that week to week longstanding, popular menu items and beer would be discontinued as if they were trying to figure out what they wanted to be. Got to be very frustrating every week. So now they've totally blown up what they used to do in favor of a taproom on steroids so we'll see how they do. I do know that some folks I spoke with last night are hesitant to go back given the various management decisions we encountered last season and then the staff issues over the summer. I did pop in last night after the Worthen at around 6:15 and not a single regular from the past was there (and didn't recognize any of the staff). Now it was an exhibition game so it will be interesting to see who goes this Friday or if people have made alternative pregame choices.

Re: UMass Lowell Off-Season 2017: Next verse, same as the first

Croix had a bad misplay on a puck during the 2nd period on the blue line. I'll admit his skating is better than I thought it would be though his lateral ability could use some polish. Had a nice shot from the top of the point that Lohin tipped into the net. Levesque made a few timing plays that lead me to believe he picked up Norm's system pretty quick.

Did notice a lot less stretch passing last night and more working the puck through all three zones.

Re: UMass Lowell Off-Season 2017: Next verse, same as the first

Originally Posted by Turk_Sanderson

Croix had a bad misplay on a puck during the 2nd period on the blue line. I'll admit his skating is better than I thought it would be though his lateral ability could use some polish. Had a nice shot from the top of the point that Lohin tipped into the net. Levesque made a few timing plays that lead me to believe he picked up Norm's system pretty quick.

Did notice a lot less stretch passing last night and more working the puck through all three zones.

They had Croix playing on his off side too. That was a nice shot (pass?) on the Lohin goal. I liked the way Levesque played. He's not afraid to go into the corners to fight for loose pucks. Guillaume Leclerc had two grade A chances, including a breakaway, that didn't go in. A lot of guys played so it was hard to keep track. Overall I thought it was a good first skate.

Re: UMass Lowell Off-Season 2017: Next verse, same as the first

It's hard to judge performance against a CIS school but it's what we have to go on:

- Defense moved the puck well and weren't trying to thread every pass 100ft, which was nice to see. There didn't seem to be any glaring defensive lapses from the new guys.
- Lots of possession, lots of good puck movement. Everyone was quick on their feet.
- Wall made some nice saves. Can't tell if the first Acadia goal redirected off the Lowell defenseman or if he was just screening Wall, but Wall had no idea where that puck was. Second goal looked like it ramped off the D stick, but again I can't really tell from the video so if anyone had a better view of it please let me know.
- PP moved the puck well. I'd like to see quicker shots this year; no need for everyone to touch the puck twice before ripping it.
- Some really nice passing on that first Lowell goal. Bad decision by the Acadia dman on the PK and Lowell made it look easy.
- Could just be me, but I didn't think Edwardh looked great
- This team needs a monster year out of 18

My question about this team remains "are they going to have enough offense to overcome the losses of Smith and Gambardella?" Lowell had a half dozen chances last night that they just couldn't finish on. Wall HAS to better this year to help make up for what I expect to be a drop in scoring. I don't think this team can win 5-4 games, at least not early in the season.

Re: UMass Lowell Off-Season 2017: Next verse, same as the first

Originally Posted by Patronick

It's hard to judge performance against a CIS school but it's what we have to go on:

- Defense moved the puck well and weren't trying to thread every pass 100ft, which was nice to see. There didn't seem to be any glaring defensive lapses from the new guys.
- Lots of possession, lots of good puck movement. Everyone was quick on their feet.
- Wall made some nice saves. Can't tell if the first Acadia goal redirected off the Lowell defenseman or if he was just screening Wall, but Wall had no idea where that puck was. Second goal looked like it ramped off the D stick, but again I can't really tell from the video so if anyone had a better view of it please let me know.
- PP moved the puck well. I'd like to see quicker shots this year; no need for everyone to touch the puck twice before ripping it.
- Some really nice passing on that first Lowell goal. Bad decision by the Acadia dman on the PK and Lowell made it look easy.
- Could just be me, but I didn't think Edwardh looked great
- This team needs a monster year out of 18

My question about this team remains "are they going to have enough offense to overcome the losses of Smith and Gambardella?" Lowell had a half dozen chances last night that they just couldn't finish on. Wall HAS to better this year to help make up for what I expect to be a drop in scoring. I don't think this team can win 5-4 games, at least not early in the season.

RE : First Arcadia goal

Wall never saw the shot or the puck he was being screened by his own man and a couple of Axemen, he had no chance on it